How to Say “Can I Borrow Your Phone” in Spanish

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¿me prestas tu teléfono?
The English phrase 'can I borrow your phone' is translated into Spanish as ¿me prestas tu teléfono?
This phrase is a request used to ask someone for permission to use their phone for a short time. Note that in Spanish, you express the concept of borrowing by using the verb prestar, which means 'to lend'.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase ¿me prestas tu teléfono? literally translates to 'Will you lend me your phone?'

Which one should you use?

In Spanish, you use the verb prestar (to lend) to express the concept of 'borrowing' in this context.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Other formal options include Disculpe, ¿puedo usar su teléfono por un momento, por favor? and Señor/Señora, ¿me permitiría utilizar su teléfono, por favor? For informal requests, you can say Oye, ¿puedo pedirte prestado tu teléfono? or ¿Me dejas usar tu móvil un momento?

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Argentina, the word celular is commonly used instead of teléfono to refer to a phone. You might hear Argentinians ask ¿Me prestás tu celular por un momento? or Disculpá, ¿puedo usar tu celular un momento?

How does it change in a sentence?

In the phrase ¿Me prestas tu teléfono?, the verb prestar is conjugated in the second person singular (tú) to ask the other person to perform the action of lending.

Did you know?

  • In some Spanish-speaking cultures, you can add a diminutive suffix to create telefonito or celularcito to make your request feel less imposing.
  • The word teléfono is a combination of the Ancient Greek roots tele, meaning 'far', and phōnḗ, meaning 'voice' or 'sound'.
  • Using the verb dejar instead of prestar changes the nuance of your request. While prestar focuses on the act of lending the object, dejar shifts the meaning to 'letting' or 'allowing' you to use it.

Examples in context

  • Disculpa, ¿me prestas tu teléfono un momento?
    Excuse me, can I borrow your phone for a moment?
  • Lo siento, ¿me prestas tu teléfono?
    I'm sorry, can I borrow your phone?

Example conversation

María needs to make a quick call while at a cafe with Daniel.

  1. María

    Daniel, ¿me prestas tu teléfono?
    Daniel, can I borrow your phone?
  2. Daniel

    Claro, ¿necesitas hacer una llamada?
    Sure, do you need to make a call?
  3. María

    Sí, es algo muy rápido.
    Yes, it is something very quick.
  4. Daniel

    No hay problema, aquí tienes.
    No problem, here you go.

Sources

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Georgina Valerie
Georgina ValerieHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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